CATEGORY 5: TREATMENT OPTIONS 1. What treatment is there for transsexuals?
The currently accepted and effective model of treatment for gender issues is based on the Standards of Care (SOC) written and enforced by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The tripartite treatment plan outlined in the SOC, involves an extended period (usually about 3 months) of psychotherapy prior to making a referral for hormone replacement therapy. This period is followed by an extended time (at least one year) in which the individual is required to live successfully full time in the new gender role prior to getting a referral for sex reassignment surgery. Although the SOC are minimum guidelines to be used to set eligibility criteria for patients, in actuality the course of treatment can be tailored to the individual’s needs, and is usually negotiated among the patient’s therapist, administrating endocrinologist and surgeon. 2. What other treatments are there? 3. Are there any rules governing this treatment? 3a). Do you think the standards of care as proposed
